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All, Many thanks again for all your help as I begin this hobby; the final selection I went with was: Polk Audio 65T ($265/pair at newegg, in case it help anyone out...) Yamaha A-S500 (Like new at Amazon Warehouse, same price as the new A-S300) Pro-Ject Debut Carbon table; since U-Turn pushed their shipping out again, and I have no patience I believe all of these components are relatively within the same range in terms of quality; I'm aware that a system is only as good as the worst component; hopefully there are no outliers in the group. Looking forward to hearing my music for the first time for real!

All, thanks for the good information. Sounds like the only part I have which can be reused is the surround speakers; the home theater receiver, sub and powered speakers are going back in the closet. This begets two additional questions: 1) The connections on the speakers are push connectors as allenh described above, and there are only two of them. I think this means I can go directly from the A binding posts to the push connectors on the back of the existing surround speakers and get music...or should I only be using a single kind of connector? If so, that eliminates the surround speakers as well, since I'd need speakers with binding posts or banana plugs. 2) In looking at pictures of the Audioengine A4 speakers as reference, since they seem to be fairly popular here, I see what appear to be two binding post connections on each speaker. However, the Yamaha amp manual describes an option for a bi-wire connection which uses the A and B binding posts to "separate the woofer from the combined midrange and tweeter section". Should I be looking for speakers with the bi-wire connection option, or is that going to push me into four digit speaker territory, in terms of price? Thanks again for your help, and patience!

Hi, all...I've read through all the beginner threads and there are a few things about how all this stuff works that are still unclear to me; I think I understand, but want to verify with the experts (that's you...). I'm probably making it more difficult for myself by trying to do things which I think are incompatible, so hopefully that's the answer, but longer replies for my education are much appreciated. First, I own the following equipment: - A Yamaha "surround sound in a box" 5.1 system with no phono input; originally purchased for tv/movie usage. - Genius SP-HF1800A powered speakers. These speakers are rated at 50W (I know that probably means nothing, but included here for completeness). I'm currently running an AT-60 table (purchased before reading the directions here...) through the CD line on this reciever to all 5 speakers and the included sub on simulated 2.1 from the surround sound set. I've also successfully connected the powered speakers direct to the table for testing purposes. My intention is to get on the waiting list for a u-turn orbit plus as my first real table. My questions go to what comes after that in the component chain: Option A:I think I know that I can get a pre-amp, hook my existing powered speakers into it, and call it a day..for now, until the upgrade bug you all speak of hits me. If I go this way, I'm looking at the Cambridge Audio Azure 551P. The downside is that I don't get to put the subwoofer in the chain. Option B: I also think I know that I can get an integrated amplifier, hook my existing powered speakers and subwoofer into it, and call it a day, until upgrade, etc....I'm looking at the Yamaha A-S300 for this. I think this option provides for the most future flexibility. Specific questions: 1) If I go with option B, am I going to destroy the powered speakers by sending too much signal to them? 2) If yes to the 1), can these speakers be used unpowered, since the reading I've done seems to indicate that in an integrated amplifier setup, unpowered (bookshelf) speakers are the way to go. Essentally, I'm asking if there a physical reason this won't work given the fact that the speakers are meant to be powered. If powered speakers can't be used this way, is that a general rule, or is there something specific about these speakers that prevents it? 3) Is there an option C, to use the the Yamaha speakers I own with the integrated amp? The speakers only have stereo wire connections. I think I know that I'm only going to be able to use two speakers, plus the sub, but do connectors/converters exist which terminate in an RCA jack on one end (for the amp side) and speaker wire on the other (for the speakers)? 4) Is there an option D, to get a preamp, and put it between the table and the existing reciever I have? Am I going to lose enough quality with all those connections to negate the effort of going to vinyl? 5) Is there an option E that I don't know about? Of all the options I think I know, is there one that I must avoid like a Crosley, or an obvious winner that's far superior to anything else? If you're still reading, thank you. I appreciate any help and/or insights you may be able to provide.